Comparison of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: The efficacy of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose to treat iron deficiency anemia remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the influence of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia. Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. Results: Four RCTs involving 3892 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia, iron isomaltoside showed similar change of Hb (SMD=0.14; 95% CI=-0.07 to 0.35; P=0.18), Hb responder (SMD=1.41; 95% CI=0.71 to 2.81; P=0.33), serum ferritin (SMD=15.13; 95% CI=-23.45 to 53.71; P=0.44), and transferrin saturation (SMD=1.20; 95% CI=-1.08 to 3.47; P=0.30). However, iron isomaltoside further improved serum-ferritin at week 2 than iron sucrose (SMD=204.79; 95% CI=38.23 to 371.35; P=0.02). Conclusions: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol showed comparable efficacy to iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Keywords: Iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol; iron sucrose; iron deficiency anemia; randomized controlled trials.